Day: |
002 |
Date: |
Thursday, 25 August 2005 |
Start: |
Snowtown |
Finish: |
Port Augusta |
Daily
Kilometres: |
180 |
Total
Kilometres: |
339 |
Journal: |
I got up at 5:30am and was on the road by
6:15am. It was very cold and dawn was just breaking. I made good
time during the beautiful sunrise although the wind became a
headwind. After some indecision, I turned into Crystal Brook (it
added a few kilometres) to get breakfast about 8:30am after 50km.
It was a pretty little old town and I got some great fresh donuts
from the bakery and sat and watched the town start another day.
About 45 minutes after leaving Crystal Brook, I got a puncture and
then, while trying to get the tyre back on the rim, managed to break
both tyre levers! Eventually, I managed to get the tyre on using a
spanner, but decided I needed to divert into Port Pirie (added about
10km) to the bike shop to get more tubes and tyre levers, which I
did. I then had an early lunch at the Subway before heading for
Port Augusta which was 88km away. The headwind was constant, but I
made reasonable time. I rode to Mambray Creek Roadhouse, with the
Flinders Ranges to my right and the gulf to my left. Unfortunately,
the Roadhouse was closed and I missed my planned ice-cream. I had a
snack and then set out on the last 46km to Port Augusta. Alas,
about 30 minutes later, I had another puncture (the tape covering
the spoke holes seems inadequate). When I tried to use the new
tubes, I found the valves wouldn't fit through the rim - what a
waste of money and very annoying! I decided I needed to get to the
Port Augusta bike shop and gave them a call to see when they
closed....5:30pm, it was going to be tight. Fortunately, the wind
and road was kind and I averaged 25kph, reaching the bike shop at
5:15pm. I then found that the shop was closing for good tomorrow!
He gave ma a couple of 26X2.125 tubes which he reckons will
fit....let's hope! I then stopped at the supermarket and stocked up
with a few things before riding to a motel and checking in at 6pm.
It had been a long day - about 180km. Had pizza in my room for
dinner, watched the cricket on TV and went to bed at 9:30pm. |
|
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|